BC Civil Liberties Association

COPE strongly condemns the Government of Alberta and Premier Danielle Smith’s assault on the rights of the striking teachers in Alberta by invoking the notwithstanding clause to force teachers back to work. No matter how the Government of Alberta attempts to frame it, this is nothing but an attack on the fundamental rights of teachers who are exercising their rights as workers and doing their part to defend public education and students in Alberta by asking the government to address critical issues that are affecting the educational experience, including class sizes and the need for student support. By taking this action, the Government of Alberta is also showing they have little regard for workers’ rights in general and would be willing to use this method to attack workers and union members in any sector as they see fit. Our union, and our tens of thousands of members across the country, stands in solidarity with the teachers in Alberta, and with the Alberta Teachers’ Association, in their continued efforts to defend public education and workers’ rights in the face of a government that has shown little regard for either.

COPE National and MoveUP President Annette Toth's statement on Alberta government's strike busting.

Online version: moveuptogether.ca/the-latest/s...

Smith’s brazen use of the notwithstanding clause should raise alarm not only for workers but for everyone in Canada. Charter rights are OURS to protect.

Sign BCCLA’s People’s Pledge: ow.ly/fJaQ50XjYTC

Good reminder today that the BCCLA are putting the notwithstanding clause in their sights. Maybe go sign the petition below

Sex Work Laws: Pivot Legal Update Post-Kloubakov Join Pivot on November 4-5th, 2025 for a discussion on legal developments in sex work laws post SCC’s decision in R v. Kloubakov!

Community consultation – November 5th 2025 at 12 PM - 312 Main Street - For directly impacted communities, advocates & sex workers - Lunch will be provided. For RSVPs & access needs (incl. stipends), check out: www.pivotlegal.org/r_v_kloubako...

Virtual forum – November 4th at 3 PM PST/ 6 PM EST - For sex workers, advocates & service providers. Register today via: us06web.zoom.us/meeting/regi...

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Join Pivot on November 4-5th, 2025 for a discussion on legal developments in sex work laws post the SCC’s decision in R v. Kloubakov!

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Prince George prepares to displace residents of Moccasin Flats The city apologized for the harms caused by dismantling people’s homes at Moccasin Flats in 2022. Now they plan to dismantle it again.

The order that protected Moccasin Flats is an important human rights precedent toward the decriminalization of people living outdoors—but a new injunction has been handed down

"Prince George prepares to displace residents of Moccasin Flats"
www.policeoversight.ca/p/prince-geo... @bccla.bsky.social

Graphic with photo of 13 young people posing with title text: One year from historic climate trial, West Coast stands with youth taking Canada to court.

A year from now, 15 youth from across Canada will take the federal gov to court for failing to protect their right to a safe, stable climate.⚖️ We're proud to stand with them as part of their legal team, supporting their demands for bold national #climateaction. www.wcel.org/media-releas... #cdnpoli

TC Energy lobbied Canada’s spy agency to share intelligence | The Narwhal Pipeline giant TC Energy urged CSIS to brief Canada’s biggest companies on security threats — raising concerns about surveillance

"It really seems as though CSIS views oil and gas companies as their partners, and when we see what they say about protestors & Indigenous land defenders, it’s clear they don’t see them as having shared interests" - Vibert Jack, BCCLA Litigation Director

ow.ly/NQWC50Xh8zK

#nokings #nokingsvancouver #notyrants #freethepeople #indivisible #indivisiblevancouver #justice #community #getinvolved #localgovernment #vancouver #nojusticenopeace

Racial Justice Project Coordinator - BC Civil Liberties Association Application deadline: Oct 31, 2025 at 11:59pm PST.Term: 2025-2028 fixed term position, 0.5 FTE (20 hours a week). About the Position: The BC Civil Liberties Association (BCCLA) is a non‑partisan […]

BCCLA is hiring a Racial Justice Project Coordinator!

Application Deadline: Oct 31, 2025 at 11:59pm PST.

Learn More and Apply: bccla.org/racial-justi...

RCMP admits to BCCLA: Fairy Creek exclusion zone “was beyond the scope of [their] authority” "When I was at camp with Indigenous land defenders, I heard stories about people being stopped by the RCMP. So, when I encountered the RCMP checkpoint for myself I felt compelled to confront the officers and challenge the exclusion zone, as I was sure they did not have the legal authority to block access to the road or the area based on the terms of the injunction order." - Veronica Martisius, BCCLA Staff Counsel

After a BCCLA complaint, RCMP admits Fairy Creek exclusion zone “was beyond the scope of [their] authority”. Yet the controversial unit CRU-BC are still lined up to protect "fast tracked" infrastructure projects & suppress Indigenous resistance

Read more: ow.ly/4QVg50XenGG

Racial Justice Project Coordinator - BC Civil Liberties Association Application deadline: Oct 31, 2025 at 11:59pm PST.Term: 2025-2028 fixed term position, 0.5 FTE (20 hours a week). About the Position: The BC Civil Liberties Association (BCCLA) is a non‑partisan […]

BCCLA is hiring a Racial Justice Project Coordinator to work closely with our Policy team in formalizing and expanding a network of families seeking police accountability.

Learn more and apply: bccla.org/racial-justi...

Stop Carney’s Surveillance Plan: Stop Bill C–2! Bill C-2 threatens our privacy, erodes our freedoms, and grants the government unchecked surveillance powers. Tell Mark Carney: surrendering to U.S. data demands isn’t leadership — it’s a betrayal of ...

Is #BillC2 dead, and your privacy rights safe in 🇨🇦? NO. But it’s reasonable to be confused!

Please speak up AGAINST #BillC2, and read this short thread to understand what’s going on: 1/4
openmedia.org/Stop-BillC2

Canada’s Civil Liberties Organizations - @bccla.bsky.social , @cancivlib.bsky.social and @liguedesdroits.bsky.social - have come together to take a stand against the Alberta government's proposed use of the notwithstanding clause to attack trans rights.

Read our Full Letter Today: bit.ly/46MAtDi

BCCLA has worked to protect freedom of expression for decades, and we will continue this work for decades to come. But, we need your support to do this. Will you help us in this fight?

t.co/yS6nVjp2Mg

Universities exist to foster open debate not to silence dissent.

BCCLA will continue to fight to protect Charter rights when public institutions like universities try to deny they have a responsibility to uphold them.

We're in Court defending students’ right to free expression!

“By dishing out heavy-handed discipline to students exercising their protest rights, universities are saying: expressing your political views could cost you your education” Ga Grant, Staff Lawyer
t.co/84bKbJ1DLw

Did a Liberal MP go rogue and ban the Irish band Kneecap from our country?

Um, it sure sounds like it.

On The Line Media’s @smohyeddin.bsky.social first exclusively reported this jaw-dropping story:

The image shows a graffiti-covered wall in the background. Title text in white text on black highlight reads: "Yellowhead Resources to Prepare for National Day for Truth & Reconciliation." Subtitle reads: "How can we avoid symbolic performances of reconciliation and equip ourselves to work toward transformative change?" The Yellowhead logo is displayed. In the bottom right corner of the screen, three arrows are displayed that indicate to scroll. 

A red text box at the top reads: "Education Resources". Title text reads: "How Do You Like Your Reconciliation?" A venn diagram demonstrates 4 overlapping circles. The circles include 1. Symbolic: Centres "efforts" by Canadians. 2. Easy: Low-hanging fruit, quick wins. 3. Transformative: Centres Indigenous self-determination, 4. Impactful: Empowers Indigenous peoples.  Overlapping with Symbolic, easy, and impactful is: renaming Overlapping with symbolic and impactful is: contrition: accountability + apology.  Overlapping with Easy, impactful: funding, data transparency, sharing power.  Overlapping with easy, impactful, and transformative: non-existent.  Overlapping with impactful and transformative: justice for Indigenous peoples, land back.  Overlapping with easy and transformative: Settler fantasy.  Overlapping with symbolic and easy is: exploitative, performative "allyship", and inclusion.  A dotted line separates the diagram and text that reads: "As we approach National Day for Truth & Reconciliation, consider where the actions you’re taking or observing fall according to this diagram. Are they transformative, impactful, symbolic, easy or somewhere in-between?"

A yellow text box reads: "Map / Education Resource". Title text reads: "The Yellowhead Treaty Map" A star designed by Michelle Sound is displayed. Next to it, text reads: "Covering every treaty since 1763, the Treaty Map depicts three eras of Treaty Making in Canada, Pre-Confederation, Confederation, and "modern". Each treaty contains descriptions on the context, terms, negotiation, and implementation of the treaty." A yellow text box contains the URL: treatymap.yellowheadinstitute.org.  A dotted line separates text at the bottom that reads: "When you recite a land acknowledgement, are you actually engaging with what it means to occupy stolen land? Are you encouraging your audience to learn about how the territories you live on were dispossessed and remain contested?"

A red text box reads: "Online course." Title text reads: "Land Back Online."  A graphic of a desktop is displayed, which contains artwork by Julie Flett featured in the Land Back report and curriculum. Text reads: "This free open access online course examines the ways Canada dispossesses Indigenous people of the land - and the strategies communities are using to get it back." A red bubble contains the URL: learnonline.yellowheadinstitute.org. A dotted line separates text at the bottom that reads: "What does land back mean in the context of this moment in Canada? Land has always been at the centre of conflict between Indigenous people and Canadians. So, what could a just future look like?" The Yellowhead logo is displayed at the bottom of the image. 

September 30th is National Day for Truth & Reconciliation. As we approach this day, how can we avoid symbolic performances of reconciliation and equip ourselves to work toward transformative change? Check out these resources and more on our website: yellowheadinstitute.org. Linked in bio.

Governments across the country are using the notwithstanding clause as if it’s a hall pass to violate our rights. Well, we’re here to tell them: this ends now.

Charter rights are ours to protect.

Support BCCLA's campaign today: give-can.keela.co/bccla-donate...

The bills she's proposing are a cheap attempt to score political points by attacking the rights of vulnerable minorities – rights that should be off limits. Real civil libertarians believe in freedom, and will fight to protect it – for everyone.

Our governments have no place restricting access to healthcare based on religious or political beliefs, interfering in private family matters, or creating heavy-handed rules about amateur sports.

Smith claims to be a civil libertarian, but her actions reveal the truth.

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith plans to use the Charter’s notwithstanding clause to pass not one, not two, but three bills to override the rights of Albertans.

Take 2 mins to tell her: our rights are off limits!

Alberta: bit.ly/46EVnCM
Outside Alberta: bit.ly/48whr55

BCCLA condemns the Liberal government’s unfounded, biased, and authoritarian decision to bar Irish-language rap group @kneecapceol.bsky.social from Canada, preventing them from performing their October shows.

Email your MP and tell them to Reverse Kneecap's Travel Ban! bit.ly/ReverseKneec...

The surveillance of pro-Palestinian protests raises serious concerns about systemic discrimination. We echo the calls of @bccla.bsky.social and @pivotlegalsociety.bsky.social for an independent review by someone with real knowledge of anti-Palestinian racism & human rights: tinyurl.com/4pc9wuvk

BCCLA is calling on folks to take action and pledge to stop politicians from using the notwithstanding clause to violate our rights!

BCCLA joins civil society orgs, companies, and cybersecurity experts, in calling for the withdrawal of Bill C-2. There’s no way to provide backdoor access to encrypted data & communications without harming the privacy & security of millions.

Learn more: www.globalencryption.org/2025/09/open...

Charter rights are ours to protect. Sign BCCLA’s People’s Pledge today to take action.

Humanists believe in a robust framework to protect our human rights. The notwithstanding clause has recently been invoked to undermine those rights. Check out the BCCLA's latest campaign to learn more.